Councillors have approved plans which will see a major car park in Cirencester close for a year in order to be developed into a multi-storey car park.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Plans submitted include details of the existing car park as well as the proposed upgrade

At a cabinet meeting last Thursday councillors voted unanimously Waterloo Car Park, which currently has 233 spaces, could be shut off from 2020 to allow for an additional 575 parking spaces to be added.

The council report said: “There is current demand for additional parking and a waiting list for permit holders – there is therefore a need to deliver parking to meet this demand as soon as possible.”

The motion that was passed asked councillors to agree the key features that would be included in the car park - such as wider parking bays, bicycle racks and public toilets which would include disabled and baby changing facilities.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Drawings submitted show how the new multi-storey could look

Other essential elements include spaces for motorcycles, a roof to maximise 'environmental technology opportunities' and electronic signs on the route to the car park showing the number of spaces available.

Further improvements such as shower facilities, a drop-off and waiting area, parcel collection point and welfare facilities will also be considered.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Consultants have explored the opportunities that the existing space could offer

While the build gets under way the busy car park is expected to be closed for over a year.

A contingency plan means that 150 permit holders would then need to be asked to park at Cirencester Rugby Club – although an estimated 80 people would be left with nowhere to park.

Additionally, the authority wants to install a temporary second-deck to a nearby car park for two years to fill the parking deficit it will create, councillors agreed that the Old Station car park would be a suitable option to consider more fully.

Although the temporary car park plans were met with strong approval last week, one councillor commented that the timescale for them was ‘hardly speedy’, to which a council officer explained that the build itself would only take a few days - the additional time was the waiting time for the elements to be delivered.

“This is in essence a ‘build-it-yourself’ structure,” she said.

“The time for the build to be completed will be one of the criteria used to decide on what plan should be followed.”

Senior councillors approved the costs of up to £470,000 for the project at the cabinet meeting.

- To see all of the plans in full click on the gallery above